Murphy’s Law

[PontiacHO]

I’ve never believed in “spells, curses”, and the like but wondered why there are periods of time when everything I touch is a disaster? Pick something up only to drop it. A 20 minute project turns into an hour due to additional stupid stuff happening. Drop some grilled food on the deck last night trying to plate it. Burned myself smoking a pork shoulder. Cut myself loading the smoker. Scratched my new valve covers installing them which incidentally now I have to reclock my alternator to clear the new covers…
I’m in a very long period of this and can’t seem to get past it. Frustrating.
Two hour job is turning into several days.

 

[wander2039]

We all have those times in our lives when nothing goes right. BUT the key is to keep going.. eventually it'll get better.. maybe LOL.

 

[walterjay]

Yeah..........been there done that, Never give up.

 

[TCL]

Stop touching stuff!

 

[Inked]

Don’t know how old you are but as I age my dexterity has “changed” slightly. I too have had similar occurrences and now, what use to be done with very little thought, requires a little more thought at a fraction of a second slower pace.

 

[Arc]

I have those days too. Plus the days when I could swear I'm invisible on the road and everybody is trying to run into me.

 

[oldcodger]

I find that I have to slow down and think things through more. Also your skin thins and is easily cut. I have to wear gloves to do just about anything outside. Without gloves I will work on something and all of a sudden there will be blood on everything and I never felt anything. Nothing serious but a mess.

 

[PontiacHO]

Thanks all. Reclocked my alternator. Test fitted it. Position was great. Bolted it up. Oh but I only put two of the four alternator housing bolts back in it for the test fit. Guess what? It’s got to come back off. Talk about going too fast with everything! YIPPEE!! It continues…

 

[fat biker]

Remember, Murphy was an Optimist!

 

[JeffKeryk]

Beautiful engine. I love Pontiacs!

 

[PontiacHO]

Beautiful engine. I love Pontiacs!

Thanks. It’s a 350. I’m keeping my eyes open for a 428. Since all Pontiacs have the exact same physical dimensions, it will fit perfectly. I need it like I need another hole in my head!

 

[repairman54]

I refer to it as the opposite of the Midas touch.
Your pic brings back memories of my old '68 GTO 400 YS motor.

 

[fdcg27]

Also your skin thins and is easily cut. I have to wear gloves to do just about anything outside. Without gloves I will work on something and all of a sudden there will be blood on everything and I never felt anything. Nothing serious but a mess.

I have noticed this too.
I seem to get cut far more easily than was the case years ago.

 

[Cujet]

When one does a variety of differing tasks, often with equipment that's not been apart lately, there is always a competence issue coupled with the very real possibility of a difficult mechanical issue. If one does the same task over and over, competence sets in.

I'd love for things to go smoothly every time, but that's rare.

 

[alarmguy]

I know the feeling ...
Engine looks gorgeous. Oh how I wish I could go back to those years.

 

[PontiacHO]

I know the feeling ...
Engine looks gorgeous. Oh how I wish I could go back to those years.

Thanks.
Went ahead and cleaned up and pan tied the alternator, pulley, and alt fan while it was off and apart. Next is to restore my Rally II wheels. A lot of sanding and tedious tape work.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Thanks. It’s a 350. I’m keeping my eyes open for a 428. Since all Pontiacs have the exact same physical dimensions, it will fit perfectly. I need it like I need another hole in my head!

Remember around '69 the blocks were drilled for the 2 different motor mounts.
Did I mention I love Pontiacs?

 

[wings&wheels]

Yup....I also refer to it as the anti Midas touch. A Manhattan helps..., assuming it is later in the day, I'm not driving or using a torch in the next hour or so, I'll step away, mix something in a plastic cup and get back to the barn. I'm semi-serious, but the steping away and doing something else for even a moment is usually a big help. Breaking the mental failure chain.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Sounds about normal.

Murphy exists. Carry on.

 

[Pablo]

Allow a full day for a 30 minute job.

If you’re done in a week make sure wife tells you how amazing and genius level you are.

Murphy will take his nonsense elsewhere